Connectors and connector devices

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of inhibiting a lance of a connector from warping excessively.SOLUTION: A connector 10 comprises a terminal 20 and a connector housing 40. The connector housing 40 includes a terminal housing part 41 in which the terminal 20 is housed and a lance 50 that engages with the terminal 20 housed in the terminal housing part 41. When observed from the front of the connector housing 40 along a front-back direction, a portion around a terminal side opening 28 of the terminal 20 in a region including an engagement protrusion 52 of the lance 50 is exposed via a second opening portion 45 of the connector housing 40. A front end of the lance 50 in the front-back direction is positioned at a position of a front end of the terminal 20 or at a position in front of the front end of the terminal and is positioned at a position of a front end of the terminal housing part 41 or at a position behind the front end of the terminal housing part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector and a connector device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector in which a flexible locking piece provided in a cantilever manner on a connector housing locks to a terminal fitting housed in a terminal accommodation chamber of the connector housing. In the connector described in Patent Document 1, a locking release operation portion at the free end of the flexible locking piece protrudes beyond a fitting surface portion with a mating connector housing. Thereby, it is said that the release operation for releasing the locked state of the terminal fitting by the flexible locking piece becomes easy.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the connector described in Patent Document 1, since the locking release operation portion at the free end of the flexible locking piece protrudes beyond the fitting surface portion with the mating connector housing, there is a concern that the flexible locking piece may be excessively bent by accidentally touching the locking release operation portion.

[0005] Therefore, an object is to provide a technique capable of suppressing excessive bending of the lance of the connector.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The connector of this disclosure comprises a connector housing including a terminal including a connecting portion connected to a mating terminal, a terminal housing portion in which the terminal is housed, and a lance that locks onto the terminal housed in the terminal housing portion, wherein a housing-side opening is formed at the front of the terminal housing portion, the housing-side opening having a first opening portion into which the tab portion of the mating terminal is inserted, and a second opening portion that receives a release operation of the lance, the lance having a locking projection, the connecting portion having a terminal-side opening into which the tab portion that has passed through the first opening portion is inserted, and a locking receiving portion into which the locking projection locks, and when observed from in front of the connector housing along the front-rear direction, in the region encompassing the locking projection, the portion of the terminal around the terminal-side opening is exposed through the second opening portion, the front end of the lance in the front-rear direction is located at the same time as or in front of the front end of the terminal, and at the same time as or behind the front end of the terminal housing portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to suppress excessive bending of the connector lance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a front view showing a connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line III-III in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line IV-IV in Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the VV line in Figure 3. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an enlarged view of region A1 in Figure 2. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an enlarged view of area A2 in Figure 3. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the terminals. [Figure 9]Figure 9 is a side view showing the connector device. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows the mating surfaces of the connector and the mating connector. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described.

[0010] The connectors of this disclosure are as follows:

[0011] (1) A connector housing comprising a terminal including a connecting portion connected to a mating terminal, a terminal housing portion in which the terminal is housed, and a lance that locks onto the terminal housed in the terminal housing portion, wherein a housing-side opening is formed at the front of the terminal housing portion, the housing-side opening has a first opening portion into which the tab portion of the mating terminal is inserted, and a second opening portion that receives a release operation of the lance, the lance has a locking projection, the connecting portion has a terminal-side opening into which the tab portion that has passed through the first opening portion is inserted, and a locking receiving portion into which the locking projection locks, and when observed from in front of the connector housing along the front-rear direction, in the region encompassing the locking projection, the portion of the terminal around the terminal-side opening is exposed through the second opening portion, the front end of the lance in the front-rear direction is located at the same time as or in front of the front end of the terminal, and at the same time as or behind the front end of the terminal housing portion. By positioning the front end of the lance at the same level as or behind the front end of the terminal housing in the front-rear direction, the lance is prevented from protruding forward of the terminal housing, thereby preventing excessive deflection of the lance. Furthermore, when observed from in front of the connector housing along the front-rear direction, the portion of the terminal around the terminal-side opening is exposed in the region encompassing the locking projection, thus simplifying the shape of the mold when the connector housing is injection molded using a mold. In this case, by positioning the front end of the lance at the same level as or ahead of the front end of the terminal in the front-rear direction, the gap around the front end of the lance is reduced, preventing contact with the terminal through this gap.

[0012] (2) In the connector of (1), a positioning wall portion may be provided at the front end of the terminal housing portion, which narrows the housing-side opening and covers the front of the front end of the terminal. This positioning wall portion prevents the terminal from passing through the housing-side opening to the front of the terminal housing portion.

[0013] (3) In the connector of (2), the conductor plate is bent and deformed to provide the connection portion. The connection portion includes a plate-like portion extending in the front-back direction, an elastic piece extending forward from the rear end of the plate-like portion and contacting the tab portion, and a protection piece extending from the front end of the plate-like portion toward the terminal-side opening. The tip of the protection piece covers the front end of the elastic piece from the front. When observed from the front of the connector housing along the front-back direction, the base end of the protection piece may be exposed through the second opening portion. Thereby, when the tab portion of the mating terminal is inserted into the first opening portion and the terminal-side opening, contact with the front end of the elastic piece is suppressed by the protection piece. Also, when releasing the lance, contact of a member for releasing the lance with the front end of the elastic piece is suppressed by the protection piece.

[0014] (4) In the connector of (3), the locking receiving portion has a recess formed in the plate-like portion, and the connection portion may have a protruding piece protruding from the peripheral edge of the recess in the plate-like portion and intervening between the locking protrusion and the elastic piece. Thereby, contact of the elastic piece with the locking protrusion is suppressed by the protruding piece.

[0015] (5) In the connector of (3) or (4), the positioning wall portion of the terminal housing portion has a partition wall portion partitioning the first opening portion and the second opening portion, and the partition wall portion may cover the tip of the protection piece from the front. Thereby, when the tab portion of the mating terminal is inserted from the first opening portion and the terminal-side opening, it becomes difficult for the tab terminal to be caught by the peripheral edges of the first opening portion and the terminal-side opening.

[0016] (6) In the connector of (5), a slanting surface portion guiding the tab portion toward the inside of the first opening portion is provided at the peripheral edge of the first opening portion of the positioning wall portion, and the partition wall portion may have a portion constituted only by the slanting surface portion. Thereby, the first opening portion and the second opening portion are brought closer, and an increase in the size of the connector housing can be suppressed.

[0017] (7) In any one of the connectors (1) to (6), the connector housing includes the first terminal accommodating portion and the second terminal accommodating portion. The rear portions of the first terminal accommodating portion and the second terminal accommodating portion are connected to each other, and the front portions of the first terminal accommodating portion and the second terminal accommodating portion are separated from each other. The lance provided in the first terminal accommodating portion may face the second terminal accommodating portion. As a result, in the first terminal accommodating portion, a wall for suppressing excessive deflection of the lance outside the lance is omitted, thereby simplifying the structure of the connector housing and suppressing the enlargement of the connector housing.

[0018] (8) Further, the connector device of the present disclosure includes any one of the connectors (1) to (7) and a mating connector that mates with the connector. In the mated state, the connector housing of the connector and the connector housing of the mating connector face each other in the front-rear direction. Thus, in the front-rear direction, the connector housing of the connector and the connector housing of the mating connector are mated without passing through a front mask or a front retainer or the like, thereby suppressing the enlargement of the connector device.

[0019] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of the connector and the connector device of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, and is shown by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0020] [Embodiment 1] The connector and connector device according to Embodiment 1 will be described below. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the connector 10 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a front view showing the connector 10 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along line III-III in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along line VV in Figure 3. Figure 6 is an enlarged view of area A1 in Figure 2. Figure 7 is an enlarged view of area A2 in Figure 3. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the terminal 20.

[0021] In this disclosure, as shown in Figure 1, of the mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions, the X direction is defined as the front-to-back direction of the connector 10. The X direction is also the mating direction between the connector 10 and the mating connector 80. The side of the connector 10 facing the mating connector 80 (see Figure 9) is defined as the front, and the opposite side is defined as the rear. Even when each part of the connector 10 is not in an installed state, it will be described using the directions corresponding to the X, Y, and Z directions when it is installed.

[0022] The connector 10 comprises a terminal 20 and a connector housing 40. The connector housing 40 includes a terminal housing 41 and a lance 50. The lance 50 locks onto the terminal 20 housed in the terminal housing 41, preventing it from coming loose. In this case, the connector 10 includes a lever portion 60. The lever portion 60 is not required in the connector 10.

[0023] The terminal 20 includes a connecting portion 21 and a wire connection portion 32. The connecting portion 21 is formed in a so-called female terminal shape. The connecting portion 21 is provided by bending and deforming a conductive plate such as a metal plate. Here, a terminal shape having the connecting portion 21 and the wire connection portion 32 is formed by bending and deforming a single conductive plate.

[0024] The connecting portion 21 is connected to the mating terminal 81 of the mating connector 80. The connecting portion 21 has a box portion 22, an elastic piece 26, a protective piece 27, and a protruding piece 31. The connecting portion 21 has a terminal-side opening 28 and a locking receiving portion 29.

[0025] The box portion 22 has four plate-like portions 23. Each of the four plate-like portions 23 extends in the front-rear direction. The box portion 22 is formed into a rectangular tube shape by the four plate-like portions 23. A terminal-side opening 28 is formed at the front end of the box portion 22. As shown in Figure 4, the tab portion 82 of the mating terminal 81 is inserted into the inside of the box portion 22 through the terminal-side opening 28.

[0026] The four plate-like portions 23 are connected around an axis along the X direction. Hereafter, when it is necessary to distinguish between the four plate-like portions 23, they may be referred to as the first plate-like portion 23A, the second plate-like portion 23B, the third plate-like portion 23C, and the fourth plate-like portion 23D, in order from one end to the other in the circumferential direction. The first plate-like portion 23A and the third plate-like portion 23C extend along the XZ plane and face each other. The second plate-like portion 23B and the fourth plate-like portion 23D extend along the XY plane and face each other. Here, the second plate-like portion 23B and the fourth plate-like portion 23D are wider than the first plate-like portion 23A and the third plate-like portion 23C. As a result, the box portion 22 has a flattened shape that is longer in the Y direction than in the Z direction.

[0027] The second plate-shaped portion 23B is connected to the first plate-shaped portion 23A and the third plate-shaped portion 23C. The fourth plate-shaped portion 23D is connected to the third plate-shaped portion 23C but not to the first plate-shaped portion 23A. The first plate-shaped portion 23A and the fourth plate-shaped portion 23D are provided with locking parts 24 to maintain the shape of the box portion 22 formed by bending the conductor plate. The locking part 24 has a locking piece 24a that extends from the first plate-shaped portion 23A and overlaps the outside of the fourth plate-shaped portion 23D. A locking hole 24b is formed at the connection point between the locking piece 24a and the first plate-shaped portion 23A. The tip of the fourth plate-shaped portion 23D is inserted into the locking hole 24b, thereby maintaining the shape of the box portion 22 formed by bending the conductor plate.

[0028] An inward-facing projection 25 and an elastic piece 26 are provided inside the box portion 22. The inward-facing projection 25 and the elastic piece 26 are provided so as to face each other. Of the four plate-shaped portions 23, the inward-facing projection 25 is provided on one of the two plate-shaped portions 23 that face each other, and the elastic piece 26 is provided on the other. In this case, the inward-facing projection 25 is provided on the second plate-shaped portion 23B, and the elastic piece 26 is provided on the fourth plate-shaped portion 23D.

[0029] The inward-facing protrusion 25 projects from the inner surface of the second plate-like portion 23B toward the inside of the box-like portion 22. Here, the inward-facing protrusion 25 is formed by pressing a part of the second plate-like portion 23B toward the inside of the box-like portion 22 along the thickness direction. As a result, a recess corresponding to the inward-facing protrusion 25 is created on the outer surface of the second plate-like portion 23B.

[0030] The elastic piece 26 extends forward from the rear end of the fourth plate-shaped portion 23D. The elastic piece 26 contacts the tab portion 82 of the mating terminal 81. The middle portion of the elastic piece 26 is closer to the second plate-shaped portion 23B than the base and tip portions of the elastic piece 26. The middle portion of the elastic piece 26 is elastically deformable so as to move away from the second plate-shaped portion 23B when in contact with the tab portion 82.

[0031] Before the tab portion 82 is inserted, the distance between the inward projection 25 and the elastic piece 26 is less than the thickness of the tab portion 82. When the tab portion 82 is inserted into the box portion 22, the tab portion 82 pushes against the elastic piece 26. This causes the elastic piece 26 to elastically deform so that the distance between the inward projection 25 and the elastic piece 26 increases. This reaction force pushes the tab portion 82 toward the inward projection 25. As a result, the tab portion 82 is clamped between the inward projection 25 and the elastic piece 26, stabilizing the connection between terminal 20 and the mating terminal 81.

[0032] The protective piece 27 extends from the front end of the fourth plate-shaped portion 23D toward the terminal-side opening 28. The protective piece 27 extends along the Z direction. The tip of the protective piece 27 covers the front end of the elastic piece 26 from the front along the X direction. The tip of the protective piece 27 is located closer to the fourth plate-shaped portion 23D than the portion of the elastic piece 26 closest to the second plate-shaped portion 23B.

[0033] In front of the terminal-side opening 28 is the housing-side opening 43 of the connector housing 40. The tab portion 82 of the mating terminal 81, which has passed through the first opening portion 44 of the housing-side opening 43, is inserted into the terminal-side opening 28. Here, the portion surrounded by the first plate-like portion 23A, the second plate-like portion 23B, the third plate-like portion 23C and the protective piece 27 is defined as the terminal-side opening 28. As shown in Figure 6, when the terminal 20 is observed from the front along the front-rear direction, the inward-facing protrusion 25 and the intermediate portion of the elastic piece 26 are exposed through the terminal-side opening 28.

[0034] The locking receiver portion 29 is provided on the fourth plate-shaped portion 23D. The locking projection 52 of the lance 50 engages with the locking receiver portion 29. The locking receiver portion 29 has a recess 30 formed in the fourth plate-shaped portion 23D. Here, the locking receiver portion 29 is provided below the part of the elastic piece 26 that is closest to the second plate-shaped portion 23B.

[0035] The protruding piece 31 protrudes from the peripheral edge of the recess 30 of the fourth plate-shaped portion 23D. The protruding piece 31 is interposed between the locking projection 52 and the elastic piece 26. The protruding piece 31 is separated in the Z direction from the elastic piece 26 before the tab portion 82 is inserted. The protruding piece 31 is on the peripheral edge of the recess 30 and is connected to the fourth plate-shaped portion 23D at the rear of the recess 30 along the X direction and on both sides of the recess 30 along the Y direction. The protruding piece 31 is on the peripheral edge of the recess 30 and is not connected to the fourth plate-shaped portion 23D at the front of the recess 30 along the X direction. The locking projection 52 of the lance 50 locks with the peripheral edge of the recess 30 that is located in the front of the recess 30 along the X direction and is not connected to the protruding piece 31.

[0036] The wire connector 32 is connected to the electric wire 70. The electric wire 70 is, for example, an insulated electric wire having a core wire 71 and an insulating layer 72. Here, the wire connector 32 and the electric wire 70 are connected by crimping the wire connector 32 onto the electric wire 70. The wire connector 32 has a bottom portion 33 and a pair of crimping pieces 34. The bottom portion 33 extends rearward from the second plate-shaped portion 23B. The crimping pieces 34 extend in the Z direction from both sides of the bottom portion 33. The wire connector 32 and the electric wire 70 are connected by crimping the crimping pieces 34 onto the core wire 71. However, the wire connector 32 may also be connected to the electric wire 70 by welding or pressure welding. In this example, the wire connection portion 32 is not provided with a crimping piece that is pressed against the coating layer 72, but a crimping piece that is pressed against the coating layer 72 may be provided on the wire connection portion 32.

[0037] In the connector housing 40, multiple sets of terminal housing portions 41 and lances 50 are provided. Here, the connector housing 40 includes four terminal housing portions 41, and each of the four terminal housing portions 41 is provided with a lance 50.

[0038] For example, the connector housing 40 is an injection-molded product made from a resin-containing material. In this case, the connector housing 40 is made of fiber-reinforced plastic. Fiber-reinforced plastic is a material in which fibers are mixed into the resin as a filler to increase its strength. Such fibers are not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate, but for example, glass fibers. The resin is also not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate, but for example, PBT (polybutylene terephthalate).

[0039] A terminal 20 is housed in each terminal housing section 41. In Figures 3 to 7, the terminals 20 are omitted in some of the terminal housing sections 41 in order to show the state in which the terminals 20 are housed in the terminal housing section 41 and the state in which they are not housed.

[0040] The terminal housing section 41 is formed in a rectangular tube shape corresponding to the box section 22. The terminal housing section 41 has four wall sections 42A, 42B, 42C, and 42D that face each of the four plate-like sections 23. Of the four wall sections 42A, 42B, 42C, and 42D, the first wall section 42A faces the first plate-like section 23A. Of the four wall sections 42A, 42B, 42C, and 42D, the second wall section 42B faces the second plate-like section 23B. Of the four wall sections 42A, 42B, 42C, and 42D, the third wall section 42C faces the third plate-like section 23C. Of the four wall sections 42A, 42B, 42C, and 42D, the fourth wall section 42D faces the fourth plate-like section 23D.

[0041] A housing-side opening 43 is formed at the front of the terminal housing section 41. The housing-side opening 43 has a first opening 44 and a second opening 45. The first opening 44 and the second opening 45 are aligned in the Z direction. When observed from the X direction, the first opening 44 and the second opening 45 are completely separated.

[0042] The tab portion 82 of the mating terminal 81 is inserted into the first opening 44. The shape of the first opening 44 as viewed from the X direction is matched to the cross-sectional shape of the tab portion 82. Here, the shape of the first opening 44 as viewed from the X direction is a rectangle that is longer in the Y direction than in the Z direction. A beveled portion 49 is provided on the periphery of the first opening 44. The beveled portion 49 guides the tab portion 82 toward the inside of the first opening 44.

[0043] The second opening 45 receives the release operation of the lance 50. The second opening 45 is located in the middle of the Y direction and below in the Z direction. In the Y direction, the second opening 45 is shorter than the first opening 44. In the Z direction, the second opening 45 is longer than the first opening 44.

[0044] An opening is formed at the rear of the terminal housing section 41 for inserting the terminal 20 into the terminal housing section 41. The terminal 20 is inserted into the terminal housing section 41 in a state where it is connected to, for example, an electric wire 70 and has a terminal attached. The portion of the electric wire 70 that is connected to the terminal 20 extends out of the terminal housing section 41 through the opening at the rear of the terminal housing section 41.

[0045] A positioning wall portion 46 is provided at the front end of the terminal housing portion 41. The positioning wall portion 46 covers the front of the front end of the terminal 20 while narrowing the housing-side opening 43. The positioning wall portion 46 has a peripheral wall portion 47 and a partition wall portion 48. A sloped portion 49 is provided on the positioning wall portion 46.

[0046] The peripheral wall portion 47 extends around an axis along the X direction. The peripheral wall portion 47 protrudes from the front ends of the first wall portion 42A, the second wall portion 42B, the third wall portion 42C, and the fourth wall portion 42D toward the interior of the terminal housing portion 41. The peripheral wall portion 47 covers the box portion 22 from the front along the front-rear direction. For example, the protrusion dimension of the peripheral wall portion 47 from the inner surface of the first wall portion 42A is the same as or greater than the thickness dimension of the conductor plate forming the terminal 20 (the thickness dimension of the plate-like portion 23).

[0047] The partition wall 48 separates the first opening 44 and the second opening 45. The partition wall 48 extends in the Y direction so as to connect the first wall 42A and the third wall 42C. The partition wall 48 covers the tip of the protective piece 27 from the front. When observed from the front along the front-rear direction, the partition wall 48 has a portion that consists only of a sloped surface 49. The second opening 45 reaches the partition wall 48. A portion of the sloped surface 49 provided on the partition wall 48 is missing due to the second opening 45.

[0048] As shown in Figure 4, the lance 50 is provided on the fourth wall portion 42D. The lance 50 has an extension piece 51 and a locking projection 52. Here, a slit 42S is formed in a part of the fourth wall portion 42D, and the portion between the slits 42S is the extension piece 51. The extension piece 51 is formed in a cantilever shape. In the X direction, the rear part of the extension piece 51 is connected to the fourth wall portion 42D. In the X direction, the front part of the extension piece 51 is a free end. In both the Y and Z directions, the extension piece 51 is shorter than the second opening portion 45. In the Y direction, the dimension from one slit 42S on the extension piece 51 to the other slit 42S is the same as the dimension of the second opening portion 45.

[0049] The locking projection 52 protrudes in the Z direction from the inner surface of the extension piece 51 toward the interior of the terminal housing 41. The locking projection 52 is provided in the middle portion of the extension piece 51 along the X direction. The locking projection 52 is provided behind the inner surface of the positioning wall 46 along the X direction. The front surface of the locking projection 52 (the surface facing forward along the X direction) is formed on the periphery of the recess 30. The rear surface of the locking projection 52 (the surface facing backward along the X direction) is an inclined surface that guides the portion in front of the recess 30 when the terminal 20 is inserted into the terminal housing 41. In the Z direction, the distance from the outer surface of the extension piece 51 to the inner surface of the locking projection 52 is shorter than the dimension of the second opening 45.

[0050] As shown in Figure 6, when observed from in front of the connector housing 40 along the front-rear direction, the portion of the terminal 20 around the terminal-side opening 28 is exposed through the second opening 45 in the region encompassing the locking projection 52. For example, the region encompassing the locking projection 52 is the region of the portion projected forward of the locking projection 52. Here, when observed from in front of the connector housing 40 along the front-rear direction, the base end of the protective piece 27 is exposed through the second opening 45 in the region encompassing the locking projection 52.

[0051] As shown on the right side of Figure 6, when the terminal housing 41 is not filled with terminals 20 and is observed from in front of the connector housing 40 in the front-to-back direction, the entire locking projection 52 is exposed through the second opening 45. When the terminal housing 41 is not filled with terminals 20 and is observed from in front of the connector housing 40 in the front-to-back direction, a portion of the peripheral edge of the second opening 45 has a shape corresponding to the outer edge of the locking projection 52. The peripheral edge of the second opening 45 and the outer edge of the locking projection 52 are separated. This makes it easier to remove the lance 50 from the mold in the front-to-back direction when molding the connector housing 40 using a mold.

[0052] The front end of the lance 50 in the front-rear direction is located between the front end of the terminal 20 and the front end of the terminal housing 41. The front end of the lance 50 in the front-rear direction is located between the inner and outer surfaces of the positioning wall 46 in the X direction. Here, the front end of the extension piece 51 in the front-rear direction is the front end of the lance 50.

[0053] In the front-rear direction, the front end of the lance 50 is positioned at the same level as or behind the front end of the terminal housing 41. This prevents the front end of the lance 50 from protruding forward beyond the front end of the terminal housing 41, thereby preventing the lance 50 from bending excessively.

[0054] In the front-to-back direction, the front end of the lance 50 is positioned at the same level as or ahead of the front end of the terminal 20. This reduces the gap in the second opening 45 compared to the case where the front end of the lance 50 is positioned behind the front end of the terminal 20. This prevents the fingers of an operator or other person from touching the terminal 20 through the gap in the second opening 45.

[0055] The four terminal housings 41 are arranged in the Y and Z directions. The four terminal housings 41 are arranged in two rows and two columns. The four terminal housings 41 are connected to each other at the rear. The four terminal housings 41 are separated from each other at the front. At the front of the terminal housings 41, the distance between two terminal housings 41 in the Z direction is greater than the distance between two terminal housings 41 in the Y direction.

[0056] As shown in Figure 3, one of the two terminal housings 41 aligned in the Z direction is designated as the first terminal housing 41A, and the other as the second terminal housing 41B. The rear of the first terminal housing 41A and the rear of the second terminal housing 41B are connected to each other. The front of the first terminal housing 41A and the front of the second terminal housing 41B are separated from each other. The lance 50 provided in the first terminal housing 41A faces the second terminal housing 41B.

[0057] As shown in Figure 1, the connector housing 40 includes a hood portion 53 that surrounds the terminal housing portion 41. A housing-side mounting portion 54 is provided on the outer surface of the hood portion 53. A lever portion 60 is attached to the housing-side mounting portion 54. The housing-side mounting portion 54 has a shaft portion 55. A slit 56 is also formed in the hood portion 53. The slit 56 is formed in front of the housing-side mounting portion 54. The slit 56 extends from the peripheral edge of the front opening in the hood portion 53 toward the housing-side mounting portion 54 along the X direction. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, an outward-facing projection 87 provided on the mating connector 80 is inserted through the slit 56.

[0058] The lever portion 60 is a component that reduces the mating force between the connector 10 and the mating connector 80 by rotating. The lever portion 60 is provided on the connector housing 40. The lever portion 60 is a component molded separately from the connector housing 40. The lever portion 60 is attached to the connector housing 40. The lever portion 60 includes a lever body 61 and a lever-side mounting portion 62.

[0059] The lever body 61 is the part that receives the operator's input. Lever-side mounting portions 62 are provided on both sides of the lever body 61. The lever-side mounting portions 62 are attached to the housing-side mounting portions 54. The lever portion 60 is rotatably mounted to the connector housing 40. Here, a bearing portion 63 is provided on the lever-side mounting portion 62. The shaft portion 55 is rotatably supported by the bearing portion 63. A groove 64 is formed on the inner surface of the lever-side mounting portion 62. An outward-facing projection 87 provided on the mating connector 80 is inserted through the groove 64. The groove 64 extends around the bearing portion 63. As the lever portion 60 rotates relative to the connector housing 40, the outward-facing projection 87 approaches the bearing portion 63 and moves deeper into the groove 64.

[0060] <Connector device 100> Figure 9 is a side view showing the connector device 100. Figure 10 shows the mating surfaces of connector 10 and mating connector 80. In Figure 9, the solid line shows the state in which connector 10 and mating connector 80 are mated, and the dashed line shows the lever portion 60 and mating connector 80 before mating.

[0061] The connector device 100 comprises a connector 10 and a mating connector 80 that mates with the connector 10. The mating connector 80 comprises a mating terminal 81 and a mating connector housing 84. The mating terminal 81 is formed in a so-called male terminal shape having a tab portion 82, and here the mating terminal 81 has a mating wire connection portion 83. The mating wire connection portion 83 is connected to the mating wire 90. The mating connector housing 84 includes a mating terminal housing portion 85, a mating hood portion 86, and an outward projection portion 87. The mating terminal 81 is housed in the mating terminal housing portion 85. The mating hood portion 86 surrounds the mating terminal housing portion 85. The mating hood portion 86 is inserted into the hood portion 53. The outward projection portion 87 is provided on the outer surface of the mating hood portion 86. The outward projection portion 87 is inserted into the groove 64 of the lever portion 60 through the slit 56 of the hood portion 53.

[0062] With connector 10 and mating connector 80 mated together, the electric wire 70 and mating electric wire 90 are connected via terminal 20 and mating terminal 81. At this time, the connector housing 40 of connector 10 and the mating connector housing 84 of mating connector 80 face each other in the front-to-back direction.

[0063] <Effects, etc.> With the connector 10 and connector device 100 configured as described above, the front end of the lance 50 is positioned at the same level as or behind the front end of the terminal housing 41 in the front-rear direction, thereby preventing the lance 50 from protruding forward of the terminal housing 41 and preventing excessive bending of the lance 50. Furthermore, when observed from in front of the connector housing 40 along the front-rear direction, the portion of the terminal 20 around the terminal-side opening 28 is exposed through the second opening 45 in the region encompassing the locking projection 52, thus simplifying the shape of the mold when the lance 50 is injection molded using a mold for the connector housing 40. In this case, the front end of the lance 50 is positioned at the same level as or ahead of the front end of the terminal 20 in the front-rear direction, reducing the gap around the front end of the lance 50 and preventing contact with the terminal 20 through the gap.

[0064] Furthermore, a positioning wall 46 is provided at the front end of the terminal housing section 41, which narrows the housing-side opening 43 while covering the front of the front end of the terminal 20. This prevents the terminal 20 from passing through the housing-side opening 43 to the front of the terminal housing section 41.

[0065] Furthermore, the tip of the protective piece 27 covers the front end of the elastic piece 26 from the front, and when observed from in front of the connector housing 40 along the front-rear direction, the base end of the protective piece 27 is exposed through the second opening 45. As a result, when the tab portion 82 of the mating terminal 81 is inserted into the first opening 44 and the terminal-side opening 28, the protective piece 27 prevents it from contacting the front end of the elastic piece 26. Also, when the lance 50 is released, the protective piece 27 prevents the member used to release the lance 50 from contacting the front end of the elastic piece 26.

[0066] Furthermore, the locking receiving portion 29 has a recess 30 formed in the plate-shaped portion 23, and the connecting portion 21 has a protruding piece 31 that protrudes from the peripheral edge of the recess 30 in the plate-shaped portion 23 and is interposed between the locking projection 52 and the elastic piece 26. As a result, the protruding piece 31 prevents the elastic piece 26 from coming into contact with the locking projection 52. In particular, here the elastic piece 26 is pressed by the tab portion 82 and deforms toward the locking projection 52. Even in this case, the protruding piece 31 prevents the deformed elastic piece 26 from coming into contact with the locking projection 52.

[0067] The positioning wall portion 46 of the terminal housing portion 41 has a partition wall portion 48 that separates the first opening portion 44 and the second opening portion 45, and the partition wall portion 48 covers the tip of the protective piece 27 from the front. As a result, when the tab portion 82 is inserted from the first opening portion 44 and the terminal side opening 28, the tab portion 82 is less likely to get caught on the peripheral edges of the first opening portion 44 and the terminal side opening 28.

[0068] Furthermore, a slanted portion 49 is provided on the periphery of the first opening 44 to guide the tab portion 82 toward the inside of the first opening 44, and the partition wall portion 48 has a portion composed solely of the slanted portion 49. As a result, the first opening 44 and the second opening 45 are brought closer together, which helps to suppress an increase in the size of the connector housing 40.

[0069] Furthermore, the connector housing 40 is made of fiber-reinforced plastic. This increases the strength of the connector housing 40, allowing the partition wall 48 between the first opening 44 and the second opening 45 to be made thinner.

[0070] Furthermore, the lance 50 provided in the first terminal housing section 41A faces the second terminal housing section 41B. As a result, in the first terminal housing section 41A, a wall to suppress excessive deflection of the lance 50 on the outside of the lance 50 is omitted, thereby simplifying the structure of the connector housing 40 and preventing the connector housing 40 from becoming larger.

[0071] Furthermore, the connector housing 40 of connector 10 and the mating connector housing 84 of the mating connector 80 face each other in the front-to-back direction. As a result, the connector housing 40 of connector 10 and the mating connector housing 84 of the mating connector 80 fit together in the front-to-back direction without the need for a front mask or front retainer, thereby suppressing an increase in the size of the connector device 100.

[0072] [Note] Up to this point, the connector housing 40 has been described as being provided with a positioning wall portion 46, but this is not an essential configuration. The connector housing 40 does not need to have a positioning wall portion 46. Furthermore, even if the connector housing 40 has a positioning wall portion 46, the configuration of the positioning wall portion 46 is not limited to the one described above. For example, the positioning wall portion 46 does not need to have either a peripheral wall portion 47 or a partition wall portion 48. Also, for example, the partition wall portion 48 may be provided below the tip of the protective piece 27. Also, for example, the partition wall portion 48 does not need to have a portion composed only of a slope portion 49.

[0073] Furthermore, it has been described that the tip of the protective piece 27 covers the front end of the elastic piece 26 from the front, and that when observed from in front of the connector housing 40 along the front-rear direction, the base end of the protective piece 27 is exposed through the second opening 45. However, this is not an essential configuration. For example, the protective piece 27 may not be provided at the terminal 20.

[0074] Furthermore, although the connection portion 21 has been described as having a protruding piece 31, this is not an essential configuration. The connection portion 21 does not need to have a protruding piece 31.

[0075] Furthermore, while it has been described so far that the lance 50 provided in the first terminal housing 41A faces the second terminal housing 41B, this is not an essential configuration. For example, a member such as a front retainer or front mask may be interposed between the lance 50 provided in the first terminal housing 41A and the second terminal housing 41B to suppress the deflection of the lance 50.

[0076] Furthermore, the configurations described in each of the above embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate, as long as they do not contradict each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 10 connectors 20 terminals 21 Connection part 22 Hakobe 23 Plate-like portion 23A First plate-like portion 23B Second plate-like portion 23C Third plate-like portion 23D Fourth plate-like portion 24 Lock section 24a Lock piece 24b Lock hole 25 Inward-facing protrusion 26 Elastic pieces 27 Protective piece 28 Terminal side opening 29 Locking receiver 30 recesses 31 Projecting piece 32 Wire connection section 33 Bottom 34 Crimping pieces 40 Connector Housing 41 Terminal housing section 41A First terminal housing 41B Second terminal housing 42A 1st wall section 42B 2nd wall section 42C 3rd wall section 42D Fourth Wall Section 42S Slit 43 Housing side opening 44 1st opening part 45 2nd opening part 46 Positioning wall 47 Peripheral wall part 48 Partition wall section 49 Slope 50 Lance 51 Extension piece 52 Locking protrusion 53 Food Section 54 Housing side mounting section 55 Shaft 56 slits 60 Lever section 61 Lever body 62 Mounting part 63 Bearing section 64 Groove 70 Electric wire 71 core wires 72 Covering layer 80. Mating connector 81 Mating terminal 82 Tab section 83 Wire connection section 84. Mating connector housing 85. Receiving section for the mating terminal 86 Opponent's hood section 87 Outward-facing protrusion 90. Opposing wire 100 Connector device

Claims

1. A terminal including a connector that connects to the other terminal, A connector housing including a terminal housing portion in which the terminals are housed, and a lance that engages with the terminals housed in the terminal housing portion, Equipped with, A housing-side opening is formed at the front of the terminal housing portion. The housing-side opening has a first opening into which the tab portion of the mating terminal is inserted, and a second opening that receives the release operation of the lance. The lance has a locking projection, The connecting portion is formed with a terminal-side opening into which the tab portion that has passed through the first opening is inserted, and a locking receiving portion into which the locking projection engages. When observed from in front of the connector housing along the front-rear direction, in the region encompassing the locking projection, the portion of the terminal around the terminal-side opening is exposed through the second opening. The front end of the lance in the front-rear direction is located at the same time as or ahead of the front end of the terminal, and at the same time as or behind the front end of the terminal housing. At the front end of the terminal housing portion, a positioning wall is provided that narrows the housing-side opening while covering the front of the terminal's front end. A slanted portion for guiding the tab portion toward the inside of the first opening portion is provided on the peripheral edge of the first opening portion of the positioning wall portion, The front end of the lance in the front-rear direction is located at the position of the inclined surface, The conductor plate is bent and deformed to provide the aforementioned connection portion. The connecting portion has a plate-like portion extending in the front-rear direction, an elastic piece extending forward from the rear end of the plate-like portion and in contact with the tab portion, and a protective piece extending from the front end of the plate-like portion toward the terminal-side opening. The tip of the protective piece covers the front end of the elastic piece from the front, When observed from in front of the connector housing along the aforementioned front-to-back direction, the base end of the protective piece is exposed through the second opening. The positioning wall portion of the terminal housing portion has a partition wall portion that separates the first opening portion and the second opening portion. The partition wall portion covers the tip portion of the protective piece from the front, A connector in which, when observed from in front of the connector housing along the front-to-back direction, the partition wall completely separates the first opening and the second opening.

2. The connector according to claim 1, The locking receiving portion has a recess formed in the plate-shaped portion, The connector has a protruding piece that extends from the peripheral edge of the recess in the plate-shaped portion and is interposed between the locking projection and the elastic piece.

3. A connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, The aforementioned partition wall portion has a part that is composed solely of the aforementioned sloping portion, and is a connector.

4. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The connector housing includes a first terminal housing and a second terminal housing, The rear portion of the first terminal housing and the rear portion of the second terminal housing are connected to each other. The front part of the first terminal housing and the front part of the second terminal housing are separated from each other. A connector in which the lance provided in the first terminal housing portion faces the second terminal housing portion.

5. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The connector that mates with the aforementioned connector, Equipped with, A connector device in which, when mated, the connector housing of the connector and the connector housing of the mating connector face each other in the front-to-back direction.

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